Multisection book



Jan. 19, 1943. J. F. RIDER MULTI-SECTION BOOK Filed Feb. 24, 1941 INVENTOR AT'rodEY Patented Jan. 19, 1943 warren STATES QFFICE' 1 Claim.

This invention relates to multi-section books and more especially to books of the type having the pages arranged in a plurality of separately turnable sets.

The invention is in the nature of an improve-- ment on the book construction disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 341,093, filed June 18, 1940. I have disclosed in said application a book construction wherein the pages are divided into independent sets, so that any page of one set can be read and associated with any page of the other set. This type of book is particularly useful where a given diagram or drawing is common to a number of text pages, so that the text pages can be read and turned successively without disturbing the diagram type. However, when a book of the type mentioned is made up of a very large number of pages, both hands must be used to hold down the two separate sets of pages, particularly when the book is new. Consequently, while the book is very convenient for visually associating texts and diagrams, it is inconvenient if written notes are to be made during reading.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a multi-section book of the type referred to, with special page retaining means incorporated into and forming an integral part of the book binding so as to maintain the pages in a flat or substantially flat position without interfering materially with the turning of successive pages.

A feature of the invention relates to a page retaining device for a multi-section book, which device is expansible in a direction normal to the front or back cover of the book.

Another feature relates to an expansible page retaining pocket having an accordion-like construction which pocket forms an integral part of the book binding.

Another feature relates to a multi-section book with a page retaining device permanently incorporated as part of the book binding and in the form of elastic strips or the like.

A still further feature relates to the novel organization, arrangement and relative location of parts which constitute an improved and convenient multi-section book.

Other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will be apparent after a consideration of the following detailed descriptions and the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a book embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a multi-section book embodying another feature of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the page retaining means of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, the book therein shown comprises two separate sets of pages bound into a common back or binding I. The pages 2 of the lower set may contain text or descriptive matter while the pages 3 of the upper set may contain illustrations or diagrams, some of which may be common to series of pages in the lower section. When such a book is provided with the usual binding and covers 4,, 5, and when it consists of a very large number of pages, it is very inconvenient to use the book without using both hands to hold down the two sets of pages. This is particularly true wher the book is unsupported by means of a stand, desk or the like. Furthermore, in order to hold down properly the pages of the upper set for example, it is necessary to hold the hand in the region of the binding and this may obscure part of the text or illustrations. In any event, both hands must be used thus rendering it annoying if written notes are to be made during reading. In accordance with th invention, the front and back covers 4 and 5, have integrally attached thereto at the corners, ex-' pansible pockets 5, I, 8, 9. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, each pocket is substantially triangular with the side walls thereof provided with an accordion-like fold Ill. While the drawing shows a single accordion fold or pleat on each side, it will be understood that a plurality of such folds may be employed depending upon the thickness of the book. Each of th pockets may be glued or otherwise fastened underneath the front and back inside facing sheets I I, I2, so as to form an integral part of the book cover. The pockets may be formed with any suitable material such as flexible cardboard or thick paper, and while Fig. 1 shows pockets at four corners, there may be provided only at the top corners of the book or only at the bottom corners of the book. Because of the expansible nature of the page retaining pockets, it is very easy to insert the turned-over pages beneath the edge of a pocket so as to retain the page in its open position and furthermore the expansible character of the pockets maintains the pages flat regardless of the thickness or number thereof. Furthermore, the character of the pockets is such that they overlie only the corner portions of each page, and without obscuring any of the illustration or text portion thereof.

Whil Fig. 1 shows a book of the type wherein common binding lin of the book. With such an 10 arrangement of the multi-section book pages, it

is possible to use the book in the conventional manner merely by holding the pages of the lefthand sections down with the left thumb while holding the pages of the right-hand section down 15 with the right thumb. Consequently, the individual set of pages may be turned without very much inconvenience. However, in order to retain the pages in their open position without using the hands, the corners of the book may have integrally fastened therein or thereto, expansible page retaining pockets 23, 24, 25, 26, with accordion pleats or folds as already described in connection with Figs. 1 and 3.

While certain specific embodiments have been illustrated, various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

A book having integrally attached to at least one corner of the cover thereof an expansible page retaining corner pocket the lateral sides of which are formed of accordion-like pleats to permit expansion and contraction of the pocket in accordance with the number of pages to be retained therein.

JOHN FRANCIS RIDER. 

